Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn will be the first keynote speaker at the 2026 Sport for Business Women in Sport Conference, in partnership with Lidl, taking place at Lidl HQ in Tallaght on Tuesday, December 1st.
Ní Chuilinn will join Sport for Business’ Rob Hartnett for an opening conversation on Where Are We Now? The State of Women’s Sport in Ireland, looking at progress made over the past decade, the areas where change remains too slow, and the priorities that should shape the next phase of policy, investment and leadership.
The former RTÉ broadcaster is now Seanad Spokesperson on Arts, Media, Sport and Communications and Leas Cathaoirleach of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.
In recent months, Ní Chuilinn has been closely engaged in developing the next National Sports Policy, including hosting a policy workshop in Dublin in October ahead of drafting the new framework. She has highlighted inclusion, safeguarding and the changing definition of Irish sport as areas that must be addressed in the next policy cycle.
She has also been an active voice on integrating the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association, arguing for greater clarity, stronger timelines and equality of opportunity for girls across Gaelic Games.
The discussion will ask whether progress in women’s sport is now sufficiently embedded, what remains vulnerable, and what decisions must be taken now if equality of opportunity, participation, leadership and investment are to become permanent features of Irish sport rather than ambitions still to be pursued.
Building Towards December 1st
The 2026 conference marks the latest chapter in a Sport for Business Women in Sport series that has been running for more than a decade, bringing together athletes, administrators, broadcasters, coaches, policymakers and commercial leaders to examine how the landscape is changing.
The event will begin at 10:00 am, with guests gathering from 9:30 am at Lidl HQ in Tallaght.
We’ll share further programme announcements in the coming weeks as we count down to December 1st.
Sport for Business Women in Sport Conference 2026
In partnership with Lidl
Tuesday, December 1st
Lidl HQ, Tallaght, Dublin
Arrival and networking from 9:30 am
Conference begins at 10:00 am
To reserve your place, you can book a ticket below.
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Image Credit: Sport for Business
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